The demonstrators converged on the holy shrine of Sayyida Zainab and condemned terrorist attacks on pilgrims and residents of the district.

“We will stand to the last drop of our blood to defend our religion and beliefs; terrorist attacks cannot weaken our stance” a protestor told an al-Alam reporter.

Syrian security forces escalated their anti-guerrilla operations in the district after rebels started using guerrilla tactics and hit-and-run attacks on residents and military forces.

Syria has been experiencing unrest since mid-March 2011. Many people, including a large number of security personnel, have been killed in the violence.